Analysis

Hazel Blears became one of Labour's most recognisable politicians in the Blair-era.

She was always loyal and often smiling - something her detractors found irritating - but she wasn't bland and revealed an interest in tap dancing and motorbikes.

As Tony Blair handed over to Gordon Brown, Hazel Blears stood for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party. Despite coming last, the new prime minister promoted her to cabinet.

But she had a spectacular falling-out with Gordon Brown. She appeared to mock his attempt at internet broadcasting: "YouTube if you want to...." she wrote.

And when the expenses scandal hit she was one of its most high-profile casualties. Her resignation on the eve of the 2009 elections also went down badly.

She returned to Salford wearing a brooch which read "rocking the boat".

It looked as if she might even lose her seat, but she fought back - winning a large majority in 2010.

Although it became clear she would not be allowed to return to the shadow cabinet, she had proved her commitment to both her constituency and her constituents.

In 2009 she decided to repay £13,332 after it emerged she had not paid capital gains tax on the sale of a property.

Expenses claims leaked to the Daily Telegraph showed the MP had declared her south London as her primary residence for tax purposes but the Commons authorities were told it was her second home, allowing her to claim hundreds in parliamentary expenses.

Although her actions had been within the expenses rules for MPs, they were described as "totally unacceptable" by the then-prime minister.

In her statement announcing her plans to leave Parliament, she highlighted her work securing investment for her constituency.

It mentions her lobbying for the BBC to relocate some of its departments to Salford and her promotion of Clare's Law.

The scheme gives people the right to ask police if their partners have a record of domestic violence and was named after one of her constituents who was murdered by her partner.

Ed Milliband, leader of the Labour Party, tweeted: "Hazel Blears has been a brilliant MP. Always fighting for those in most need. Parliament will miss her."

Paul Wilson, chair of the Salford and Eccles Labour Party, said: "Throughout the last 17 years, Hazel has been an excellent public servant for the city.

"Her relentless drive to serve Salford has delivered a huge number of achievements, most notably helping to improve the living standards and job opportunities in the city."